JP6779678B2 - Information processing equipment, information processing methods and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to information processing devices, information processing methods and programs.

There is a technology that can transmit electric power in parallel with data transfer in a wired interface for communication connected to an information processing device. A typical example is USB (Universal Serial Bus).

Further, in the technology called USB-PD (Power Delivery), it is possible to freely determine from which device the power is supplied to the connected device from the device connected by the cable as compared with the conventional USB device. With a conventional USB device that does not support USB-PD, power can be supplied from the host device (host) to the peripheral device (device) in only one direction.

Here, if the degree of freedom of power supply control increases, the possibility that the power supply is not performed unintentionally by the user may increase, so that countermeasures may be required.

For example, in Patent Document 1, when a connection terminal is connected to both a charging terminal and a discharging terminal in a vehicle power control device including a storage battery, it is regarded as an erroneous charging and charging to the storage battery is temporarily stopped. The technology to be used is disclosed.

Japanese Patent No. 5578209

When devices that can both transmit and receive power are connected, there is a risk that power will be unnecessarily circulated between the devices and consumed. For example, if the control is continued to continue to supply power from a device with a high battery level to a device with a low battery level, and the power remaining between the two devices is switched many times, the power will be transferred between the devices. There is a possibility that it will make a round trip.

Here, a technique such as Patent Document 1 can be applied to a device in which a power transmission direction is unique for each cable or connector and a cable having both a charging terminal and a discharging terminal can be inserted into one connector. Have difficulty.

In order to solve the above problems, the information processing device according to the present invention connects the connection unit and the capability information indicating that the function as a power transmission and the function as a power receiver can be switched from the external device. An acquisition means acquired via a unit, a reception means for receiving an instruction by a user based on the ability information, and a power transmission for transmitting power to the external device via the connection unit based on an instruction received by the reception means. A power control means that controls one of a plurality of states including a state and a power receiving state that receives power from the external device via the connection portion, and a power control policy based on an instruction received by the receiving means. It has a determination means for determining the above and a holding means for holding the power control policy determined by the determination means .

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the reciprocation of electric power between devices and reduce unnecessary loss of electric power.

It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the process which determines the power control policy of an information processing apparatus. (A) It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the information processing apparatus. (B) It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the USB control unit. (A) It is a schematic diagram which shows the pin arrangement of the receptacle of the USB control part. (B) It is a schematic diagram which shows the pin arrangement of a plug. (A) It is a schematic diagram which shows the packet format of CC. (B) It is a schematic diagram which shows the message format of CC. (C) It is a schematic diagram which shows a message type, and (d) is a schematic diagram which shows the content of ability information. It is a schematic diagram of the display screen for determining a power control policy. (A) It is a schematic diagram of the display screen for setting the condition for stopping the power transmission from the information processing apparatus 200. (B) It is a schematic diagram of the display screen for setting the condition for stopping the power reception by the information processing apparatus 200. It is a schematic diagram of the pull-down menu for setting a data transfer policy. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of a power control process. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that two devices are connected so that power can be transmitted or received. It is a schematic diagram which shows the outline of the contents held by the configuration register and the status register. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the process which determines about the received role change request. It is a schematic diagram of a display screen for designating permission of a role change.

<< Embodiment 1 >>
Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the hardware configuration of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 2A is a schematic view showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus 200 to which the present invention is applied. The information processing device 200 may be a portable device such as a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, or a digital camera, but the present invention can be applied to other devices. The ROM 206 stores a program for realizing the flowchart of the present embodiment described later. The CPU unit 201 uses a DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) 204 to expand the program of the ROM 206 into the RAM 202, reads the program from the RAM 202, and executes a process including the contents of the flowchart described later. The RAM 202 may include an SDRAM or the like conforming to a standard such as DDR (Double Data Rate).

The graphic user interface 203 (hereinafter, simply referred to as UI) functions as a receiving unit for receiving instructions from the user, and enables the user to use various functions of the information processing device 200. The UI 203 may include a plurality of buttons, a display, a touch panel, and the like. The external IF205 includes a wired or wireless network interface and an external interface such as USB and PCIe. The storage unit 207 includes a storage device such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an eMMC (embedded MultiMediaCard) that functions as a large-capacity non-volatile memory. The storage unit 207 also holds the code of the operating system (OS). The image processing unit 208 is a graphic accelerator (or GPU) that performs various image processing in response to the request of the CPU unit 201.

The bus 212 is a bus that connects each configuration so as to be communicable, and the device control unit 209 includes a chipset that controls the exchange of data between the CPU unit and other configurations.

FIG. 2B is a schematic view showing a detailed configuration of the USB control unit 210 that functions as the power control unit in the present embodiment. The non-volatile memory 224 includes a NAND flash memory (hereinafter, simply referred to as a flash memory) and the like, and can hold information non-volatilely even if no electric charge is supplied. The ROM 226 holds a program for controlling the USB control unit 210, and the processor core 222 reads and executes the program. For example, ROM226 has a data transmission function according to the USB standard, a program for realizing data transfer by MTP and PTP described later, a program for realizing a power control function, and own device information (device ID and vendor ID). ) Is held.

The register group 225 includes a general-purpose register, a configuration register, and a status register. The general-purpose register holds an intermediate value or the like when the processor core 222 calculates. The configuration register holds settings (parameters, power control policy) for the processor core 222 to control the USB control unit 210. The status register holds information indicating the state of the information processing apparatus 200 by the processor core 222 based on the information from the CPU unit 201. Details of the configuration register and status register will be described later. The IF 221 connects the bus 211 and the processor core 222, interprets information transmitted via the bus 211, for example, and transmits the information to the processor core 222. The cache memory 227 includes SRAM and DRAM, and temporarily holds data to be written to the non-volatile memory 224 and data to be read from the non-volatile memory 224.

The memory control unit 223 includes a controller for controlling the flash memory included in the non-volatile memory 224, and executes processing such as reading and writing to the flash memory of the non-volatile memory 224 based on the instruction of the processor core 222. Specifically, the memory control unit 223 includes an address register that holds the address of the non-volatile memory 224 to be accessed and a command register that holds a command indicating the access content for the access instruction from the processor core 222. Then, the non-volatile memory 224 is controlled according to the contents held in these registers.

The connector portion 231 includes at least one receptacle as a connection portion (connector) of the USB Type C. Although not shown, the connector unit 231 is provided with a 4b5b codec and a BMC codec, and can acquire information symbolized by 4b5b conversion and information encoded by BMC, decode it, and then transfer it to the processor core 222. is there. The connector portion 231 of the present embodiment includes a connection portion 228 (first connection portion) and a connection portion 229 (second connection portion), each of which functions as a receptacle into which a USB Type C plug can be inserted. It has become. The cable 230 is a cable compatible with USB PD, and the plug (male) at the end can be attached to and detached from the resector pull (female) of the connector portion 231. The other end is connected to various devices. Further, the connector portion 231 is configured to be able to supply electric power received from the outside to the battery 212 via the cable 230.

The battery 212 is a lithium-ion rechargeable battery, functions as a power source for supplying DC power to the information processing device 200, and can store power received from the connector unit 231 and an AC power source (not shown).

The non-volatile memory 224 and ROM 226 retain the stored contents even when the power of the information processing device 200 is turned off, but other configurations, the processor core 222, the register group 225, the cache memory 227, etc. are stored contents due to the power off or reset operation. Is lost.

The information processing device 200 realizes the processing of the present invention in the form shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing how the information processing device 200 and another information processing device 900 (hereinafter referred to as an external device 900) are connected by wire so as to be able to transmit power or receive power. Although detailed description will be omitted, it is assumed that the external device 900 also has the same functions as those shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b).

Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus 200 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an outline of a process in which the information processing device 200 determines a power control policy after the information processing device 200 is connected to the external device 900 by USB and control communication is established. Here, the power control policy is a control policy including the content of how the information processing device 200 transmits power to the external device 900 or how the power is received from the external device 900. ..

In FIG. 1, in step S101, the processor core 222 of the information processing device 200 transmits its own capability information to the external device 900 via the CC pin of the Type-C connector of the connector unit 231 or the external device 900. Capability information is received from the external device 900. The received capacity information is held by the cache memory 227. Here, the capacity information is the power transmission capacity information on how power can be supplied in the power transmission state in which the power transmission state functions as a power transmission device (Source), and the power reception state in which the power reception state functions as a power reception device (Sink). Includes power receiving capacity information as to whether or not it operates by receiving power. The details of the capability information will be described later using the packet format of FIG.

In step S102, whether or not the processor core 222 of the information processing device 200 refers to the information of the status register of the register group 225 and receives power from an external power source different from the external device 900 connected by the connector unit 231. To judge. For example, it is determined whether or not the own device is supplied with power from an AC power source (for example, an AC-DC adapter or WALL WART). Alternatively, if the Externally Powered bit (external power supply information 434 described later) indicates invalidity in the power transmission capacity information transmitted by the information processing device 200 to the external device 900 in step S101, the processor core 222 determines YES. May be good. If YES, the process proceeds to step S103.

In step S103, the processor core 222 refers to the cache memory 227 and determines whether or not the external device 900 is powered by the AC power source. Specifically, the processor core 222 determines whether or not the Externally Powered bit included in the capability information received from the external device 900 indicates invalidity. If YES, the process proceeds to step S104.

In step S104, the processor core 222 refers to the cache memory 227 and determines whether the external device 900 has both transmitter and receiver capabilities. Specifically, the processor core 222 determines whether or not the Dual-Role Power bit (power role information 432 described later) included in the capability information received from the external device 900 is valid. If YES, the process proceeds to step S105.

In step S105, the processor core 222 controls to display for determining the power control policy. Specifically, the processor core 222 interrupts the CPU of the CPU unit 201, and the CPU unit 201 that receives the interrupt controls to display the UI 203 for receiving the instruction of the power control policy from the user (power control). Details of the policy will be described later). The image processing unit 208 may process a part of the drawing process to be displayed. The instruction from the user includes information for determining at least one of "power transmission", "power reception", and "neither power transmission nor power reception". The processor core 222 waits for the power control process until it receives an instruction from the user, and when it receives the instruction from the user, it transitions to step S106.

In step S106, the processor core 222 functions as a determination means for determining the power control policy based on the instruction received from the user, and writes the contents of the determined power control policy to the configuration register of the register group 225. Then, the processor core 222 executes the power control process based on the determined power control policy. The details of the power control process will be described later with reference to FIG. The processor core 222 may access the configuration register of the register group 225 so as to cancel the setting of the Dual Role of the information processing device 200 before executing the power control process. By this process, the setting of Dual Role is released until the processor core 222 is reset. For example, when the USB control unit 210 receives a reset request from the external device 900, the processor core 222 resets itself and the contents of the register group 225 are also initialized, so that the Dual Role setting is returned. If the user receives an instruction to "never transmit or receive power" in step S105, the process of step S106 is omitted.

On the other hand, if NO in step 102, step S103, and step S104, the process proceeds to step S107. In step S107, if the own device receives power from the AC power supply, the information processing device 200 is controlled as a power transmitter, and if the external device 900 receives power from the AC power supply, the information processing device 200 is used as a power receiver. Control. If the external device 900 has only one capability of the transmitter and the receiver (when the power role information 432 described later is invalid), the device corresponding to the capability of the external device 900 (if the external device 900 is a transmitter, the receiver) If the external device 900 is a power receiver, it is controlled as a transmitter).

<Power control policy>
FIG. 5 is an example of the setting screen displayed by the UI 203 in step S105 of FIG. In this embodiment, the UI 203 is a capacitive touch panel.

The window 501 is displayed by the UI 203 due to an interrupt from the USB control unit 210. The icon unit 502 displays an icon indicating the type of the external device 900 and an icon indicating the remaining battery level of the external device 900. The name 503 is the name of the external device 900. The device information (device ID or vendor ID) of the external device 900 may be displayed as the name 503.

The slide bar 504 is for determining the power control policy of the information processing apparatus 200. By moving the slider 505 left and right on the slide bar 504, the user can select the condition of "power transmission" or "power reception" as the power control policy, and by not moving the slider 505, "no power transmission or power reception" is said. You can select the conditions. The display may be different or the operation of the slider 505 may be restricted based on the capability information received from the external device 900. For example, if the external device 900 cannot supply the power level required for the information processing device 200, it can only function as a power receiver. Therefore, the slider 505 can be moved only to the "power transmission" side, or the slide bar 504 can be moved. The "power receiving" side half may be grayed out.

The button 506 accepts the user's touch to display options for setting the power control policy in more detail (details will be described later).

By accepting the user's touch, the pull-down unit 509 displays options for setting the data transfer policy in more detail (details will be described later with reference to FIG. 7).

The radio button 510 can be set to "store the content selected by the user in the window 501 and skip calling the window 501 in step S105 of FIG. 1 next time" for the device displayed in the name 503. ..

The cancel button 511 is a button for rejecting the setting by the window 501, and the execute button 512 is a button for reflecting the setting by the window 501.

When the user accepts the touch of the execution button 512 with the setting of the radio button 510 enabled, the processor core 222 non-volatiles the device setting information in which the condition set by the user and the device information are associated with each other in the window 501. It is stored in the memory 224.

Although omitted in the description of FIG. 1, when transitioning to step S105, the processor core 222 searches the non-volatile memory 224 for device information as a query. When the search is hit, since the non-volatile memory 224 has the device setting information previously set by the user, the processor core 222 controls step S106 based on the device setting information stored in the hit entry.

When using the device setting information stored in the non-volatile memory 224, a pop-up notification to that effect and a reset button may be given to the user for a predetermined time to encourage the user to perform the reset. When the touch of the reset button by the user is detected, the processor core 222 re-executes from the process of step S105 without searching the non-volatile memory 224.

FIG. 6A shows a screen further displayed in the window 501 when the slide bar 504 selects the setting to transmit power from the information processing apparatus 200 and the button 506 selects the detailed setting. Some are shown. The pull-down unit 601 presents a condition for stopping the power transmission by the information processing apparatus 200 (transmission stop condition) so that it can be selected from the list.

“Non (deatached)” is a condition selected in the initial state, for example, a condition that “the information processing apparatus 200 transmits power until the plug of the cable 230 is pulled out from the connector portion 231 and the connection is disconnected”. Shown. The "own battery level" is a condition that "the power transmission from the information processing device 200 is stopped when the remaining battery level of the battery 212 of the information processing device 200 reaches a predetermined value (predetermined ratio)". The "other battery level" is a condition that "the power transmission from the information processing device 200 is stopped when the remaining battery level of the external device 900 reaches a predetermined value". The "time passage" is a condition that "the power transmission or reception is stopped when the time for which the power transmission or reception is continued reaches a predetermined time". The "process completion" is a condition that "transmission or power reception is stopped when the process related to data transmission / reception by the information processing apparatus 200 is completed or when the information processing apparatus 200 transitions to the power saving mode".

The columns 602 and 603 are for setting the details (remaining battery level and time lapse) of the conditions set by the pull-down unit 601. In the example of FIG. 6A, since "time passage" is selected in the pull-down section 601 so that a natural number (one of 1 to 99) can be input in column 602 and a unit ("minute" or "minute" or "minute") in column 603. One of "time") can be selected.

FIG. 6B shows a screen further displayed in the window 501 when the slide bar 504 selects the setting for the information processing apparatus 200 to receive power and the button 506 selects the detailed setting. Some are shown. The pull-down unit 601 presents a condition for stopping the power reception by the information processing apparatus 200 (power reception stop condition) so that it can be selected from the list. A detailed description of the contents that can be selected by the pull-down unit 601 will be omitted because the condition for stopping power transmission in FIG. 6A has only changed to stop receiving power.

In the example of FIG. 6B, since "own battery level" is selected in the pull-down section 601, the unit is fixed to% in column 603, and a natural number (one of 1 to 99) is input in column 602. You can do it.

FIG. 7 shows the details of the setting contents that can be selected by the pull-down unit 509. “MTP” is a setting for transferring data between the information processing device 200 and the external device 900 by a media transfer protocol (Media Transfer Protocol). By making this selection, the information processing device 200 functions as an MTP initiator, and the external device 900 functions as an MTP responder.

"PTP" is a setting for transferring data by an image transfer protocol (Photo Transfer Protocol).

The "Open Mass Storage" causes the external device 900 to function as a large-capacity storage device (USB MASS STRAGE CLASS), and the information processing device 200 opens the top-level folder (or ROOT folder) of the large-capacity storage device of the external device 900. ..

In the MTP, the information processing device 200 as the MTP initiator can grasp the file system of the external device 900. Therefore, since the self-access on the external device 900 side and the file access from the information processing device 200 can be controlled so as not to conflict with each other, the external device 900 can be operated more preferably than the case where the external device 900 functions as a large-capacity USB storage device.

FIG. 8 shows the details of the power control process in step S106 of FIG.

In step S801, the processor core 222 determines the power transmission direction included in the instruction received in step S105. If it is in the receiving direction, the process proceeds to step S802. If the instruction received in step S105 includes the condition that "neither power transmission nor power reception" is performed by the slider 505 of FIG. 5, the present operation is continued until either "power transmission" or "power reception" is selected by the slider 505. Continue to self-transition in steps.

In step S802, the processor core 222 confirms its status as a receiver (Sink). Here, if it is set in the transmitter, the procedure of role exchange (Role Swap) is executed, the information processing device 200 is set in the receiver, and the external device 900 is set in the transmitter. When the USP-PD connection is established between the information processing device 200 and the external device 900, the role of a receiver is assigned to one and the role of a transmitter is assigned to the other as initial settings, and each device is assigned the role of a transmitter. This is because it is reflected in the configuration register. Further, the processor core 222 outputs a request to the external device 900 to make the other device function as a transmitter (Source) in order to operate as a power receiver. This request is determined based on the capability information received from the external device 900 in step S101. Specifically, among a plurality of outputable power levels (set of current value and power value) transmitted by the external device 900 to the information processing device 200, one required by the information processing device 200 is included as the required power information. The USB control unit 210 outputs the request. Further, when the power receiving stop condition is set by the pull-down 601, the USB control unit of the external device 900 is prevented from transitioning to the power saving state. Specifically, the USB control unit 210 outputs a request for which the power saving limit information is set (the "No USB SUSPEND flag" of the request is set to 1).

In step S803, the USB control unit 210 of the information processing device 200 transmits / receives power receiving processing and status information. When starting power reception, it is confirmed that the request requested in step S802 is accepted by the external device 900 and that the external device 900 has issued a notification that the power transmission is ready (power transmission ready) before receiving power. Further, the USB control unit 210 outputs status information including the remaining amount of the battery 212 of the information processing device 200 to the external device 900, and receives the status information of the external device 900.

In step S804, it is determined whether or not the processor core 222 satisfies the power receiving stop condition based on the status information of the information processing device 200 or the external device 900 and the power receiving stop condition. If not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S803 to continue the power receiving process. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S805, the processor core 222 performs the power reception stop processing, and the USB control unit 210 notifies the external device 900 of the power transmission stop. When the USB control unit of the external device 900 is set not to transition to the power saving state by the request of step S802, the external device 900 clears this setting based on this notification.

On the other hand, when the power transmission direction is the transmission direction in step S801, the process proceeds to step S806, and the processor 222 confirms whether or not the status of the information processing device 200 is the transmitter (Source). Here, when the information processing device 200 is set as the receiver, the procedure of role exchange (Power Role Swap) is performed, the information processing device 200 is set as the receiver, and the external device 900 is set as the transmitter. To do. Further, the USB control unit 210 receives a request from the external device 900. When the received request includes a request for temporarily restricting the transition of the USB control unit 210 to the power saving state, the processor core 222 sets the configuration register of the register group 225 as such.

In step S807, the USB control unit 210 of the information processing device 200 transmits and receives power transmission processing and status information. When starting power transmission, the external device 900 is in a state of being able to receive power by notifying that the request received from the external device 900 has been accepted in step S806 and further notifying that the information processing device 200 is in a state of being able to transmit power. Power is transmitted after receiving the power receiving lady). Since the transmission / reception of status information is the same as in step S803, the description thereof will be omitted.

In step S808, it is determined whether or not the processor core 222 satisfies the power transmission stop condition based on the status information of the information processing device 200 or the external device 900 and the power transmission stop condition. If not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S807 to continue the power transmission process. If the condition is satisfied, the process proceeds to step S809, the processor core 222 performs the power transmission stop processing, and the USB control unit 210 notifies the external device 900 of the power transmission stop. When the USB control unit 210 is set not to transition to the power saving state based on the request received in step S806, the processor core 222 accesses the configuration register to clear this setting when making this notification.

The USB control unit 210 also uses the CC pin for power reception requests and transmission / reception of status information.

<About connector 231 and cable 230>
FIG. 3A shows the pin arrangement of the Type-C receptacle that functions as the connection portion 228 and the connection portion 229 of the connector portion 231.

USB Type-C defines a reversible plug with an oval cross section. Then, when the 12 pins on the A side are turned inside out, the contents are the same as the 12 pins on the B side. The A1 (B1) pin and the A12 (B12) pin are grounds and are used as paths for returning the return current. The A2 (B2) pin and the A3 (B3) pin are differential signal lines for transmitting serial data corresponding to the USB Super Speed mode from the information processing device 200. A4 (B4) is a signal line that is bus-powered and plays a leading role in power supply.

The A5 (B5) pin is called a configuration channel (hereinafter, simply referred to as CC), and is a control signal line for searching a USB device (discovery) and performing control communication with a cable or a connection partner device. For example, this CC pin is used for the transmission / reception processing of the capability information and the exchange of various control information in step S101 of FIG. Actually, of the A5 focus and B5 pins, the one connected to the CC pin on the plug side functions as a CC, but for the sake of simplicity, it is called a CC pin.

The A6 (B6) and A7 (B7) pins are USB 2.0 compatible data transfer differential signal lines. The A8 (B8) pin is an auxiliary signal line and is used when using the secondary bus function or expanding the function of the interface. The A9 (B9) pin is a bus power and is the same as the A4 pin described above. The A10 (B10) and A11 (B11) pins are differential signal lines for the information processing apparatus 200 to receive serial data corresponding to the USB Super Speed mode.

FIG. 3B shows the pin arrangement of the Type-C plug of the cable 230. When this plug is inserted into the receptacle as a connecting portion, the a1 pin of the plug is connected to the A1 pin or the B1 pin of the receptacle. In other words, since there are two sets of pins with the same function on the upper and lower sides of the receptacle, they can be connected in the same way even if the plug is inserted upside down. In order to realize only the data transfer function of USB3.1, either one set of a1 to 12 pins (hereinafter, a set) or b1 to 12 pins (hereinafter, b set) may be used. However, VBUS a4, a9, b4, b9 may be required to supply the voltage corresponding to the USB PD. Vconn can also be used for searching (discovering) USB PD devices and for other controls.

In this embodiment, pins b2, b3, b10, and b11 are not used for the sake of simplicity. Therefore, the number of signal lines of the cable 230 may be 12 (assuming that one signal line is used for GND and VBUS).

<Packet format on CC pin>
FIG. 4A is a packet format used when communicating between the information processing device 200 and the external device by the CC pin. The preamble 401 is binary data for training on the receiving side. SOP402 is 20-bit symbol data indicating the beginning of the packet. The header 403 and the object 404 are part of the message (data to be interpreted by the protocol layer). The header 403 is 16-bit information, of which 4 bits (message type 421) indicate the type of message. Like the 4-bit information shown in FIG. 4C, "0001: power transmission capacity information (source capability)" and "0100: power reception capacity information (sync capability)" can be shown as the message type 421.

The 32-bit object 404 is the content of the message and can store up to eight objects per message, but it can be omitted depending on the message type. For example, when the message type 421 is "0001: Good DCRC (CRC good)", the object can be omitted. CRC405 is an error correction code, and EOP is a symbol indicating the end of the packet.

The message type 421 of FIG. 4C shows the power transmission capacity information, and actually represents a message including two contents of the object 411 and the object 412 as the power transmission capacity information. Object 411 shows an initial state (Vsafe5V) when power is supplied, and object 412 shows that power can be supplied at 20V, 5A. Details of the transmission capacity information 431 included in the object 412 are shown in FIG. 4 (d).

The electric power role information 432 indicates whether or not the information processing apparatus 200 can switch the functions of the transmitter and the receiver. The power saving support information 433 indicates whether or not the USB control unit 210 of the information processing device 200 can transition to the power saving mode, and can be made compatible with an external device. The external power supply information 434 indicates whether or not the information processing apparatus 200 receives the main power supply from the AC power supply. The data role information 435 indicates whether or not the information processing apparatus 200 can switch the functions of the data transmitter (host) and the data receiver (device). The power role information 432, the power saving correspondence information 433, the external power supply information 434, and the data role information 435 can each be expressed by 1 bit. For example, a valid case can be expressed as 1 and an invalid case can be expressed as 0. In this case, if the information processing device 200 can switch the functions of the transmitter and the receiver, does not transition to the power saving mode, and is not connected to the AC adapter, and can operate on either the host or the device, Object 412 contains "1,0,0,1".

While the processor core 222 is changing the contents of the configuration register of the register group 225 so as to cancel the setting of the Dual Role, the power role information 432 output from the information processing device 200 to the external device is "0". Be made.

<About the configuration register and status register>
FIG. 10 shows an outline of the configuration register 1000 and the status register 1010 of the register group 225.

Dual Role 1001 indicates whether or not the setting of Dual Role of the information processing apparatus 200 is valid. The initial state is set to "1 (Dual Role valid)" indicating that the information processing apparatus 200 can function as both a transmitter and a receiver. Then, when the processor core 222 accesses the register to cancel the Dual Role setting, it is set to "0 (Dual Role invalid)" and returns to "1" by initialization.

Power save 1002 indicates whether or not the USB control unit 210 is restricted from transitioning to the power saving mode. The initial state is set to "0 (limit invalid)", and when the processor core 222 is set to temporarily limit the power saving mode in step 806, it is set to "1 (limit valid)" by register access. ..

The Power control policy 1003 holds a power control policy determined by the processor core 222 based on the contents of steps S102 to S105. For example, role information indicating whether the information processing device 200 functions as a transmitter, a power receiver, or does not perform power transmission, or a power supply level (value corresponding to a voltage value, value corresponding to a current value). And so on. In addition, the Power control policy 1003 also includes a power receiving stop condition and a power transmission stop condition set in the window 501 as stop condition information, a processing flag, and a completion flag. The processing flag is used when a ready signal is received from the external device 900 for the request transmitted in step S802, or when a ready signal indicating that power transmission is ready is output based on the request received in step S806. The processor core 222 is enabled. The completion flag is effectively set by the processor core 222 in the processes of steps S809 and S805.

The battery level (0) 1011 is information indicating the remaining battery level of the battery 212 of the information processing device 200, and the battery level (1) 1012 is information indicating the remaining battery level of the external device 900. The remaining battery level of the external device 900 is updated by the processor core 222 when the connector unit 231 is included in the capacity information or status information acquired from the external device.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 200 displays a display for determining the direction of transmitting electric power when necessary, and controls based on the determined electric power control policy, so that the electric power is transferred between the devices. It is possible to suppress reciprocation. Further, the power loss can be further reduced by canceling the setting of the Dual Role during the control based on the determined power control policy. This prevents the processor core 222 from canceling the Dual Role setting, invalidating the power role information 432 of the packet transmitted from the information processing device 200 to the external device, and suppressing the power role from being switched more than necessary. It depends.

Further, in the present embodiment, when the power receiving stop condition or the power transmission stop condition is set, the external device 220 or its own USB control unit 210 is controlled so as not to transition to the power saving mode. By this control, it is possible to suppress the interruption of power transmission or power reception when the power reception stop condition or the power transmission stop condition is not satisfied due to the transition of the USB control unit 210 to the power saving mode.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the embodiment in which the cable supporting the CC signal line is used has been described, but the Type-A and Type-B cables can also be used. Since it is conceivable that the Type-A and Type-B plugs do not support the CC signal line, the ability information may be transmitted and received via the VBUS pin instead of the CC pin.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the cable 230 is detected as "non (deatached)", but the connection disconnection may be detected by another method. All messages from the information processing device 200 to the external device 900 are sent with a CRC, and the external device 900 returns a "Good CRC" message as a CRC response. Therefore, it may be determined that the connection is disconnected because the "Good CRC" message is not returned within a predetermined time after the message is output from the information processing device 200. The status register and configuration register are initialized based on the connection disconnection.

Further, in the present embodiment, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, an example of switching as a transmitter or a power receiver for each information processing device 200 has been described, but it is also possible to control the transmitter and the receiver so as to be different for each connection portion. Is. In that case, the configuration such as the configuration register and the status register may be provided for each number of connection portions.

Further, when it is determined as "No" in step S102 or step S103, the USB control unit may be controlled so as not to shift to the power saving mode for each of the information processing device 200 and the external device 900. ..

Further, when it is determined as "No" in any of steps S102 to S104, the UI 203 notifies the power control policy determined without waiting for the acceptance of the user's instruction, and the user touches the notification. The transition to step S105 may be performed. For example, even if the information processing device 200 is supplied from the AC power supply in S102, the user may intend to disconnect from the existing AC power supply if the power supply by the USB PD is established. Absent. Therefore, in the case of "No" in S102, it is sufficient to display a notification for accepting the selection of whether to substitute the existing AC power supply by the USB PD connection for which the newly established control communication is established.

<< Embodiment 2 >>
In the first embodiment, an example of canceling the Dual Role setting of the configuration register of the information processing apparatus 200 itself is described when the electric power control is executed based on the electric power control policy determined by the information processing apparatus 200. .. Due to this control, the external device 900 is substantially unable to issue a request for changing the role (Port Power Role Swap message: hereinafter referred to as a role change request) to the information processing device 200.

On the other hand, in the second embodiment, a mode in which the information processing devices 200 that do not cancel the Dual Role setting are connected to each other will be described. That is, in the present embodiment, even if power supply control is being performed between the two information processing devices 200 based on the power control policy determined by one information processing device 200, the other information processing device 200 requests a role change. It is configured to be able to send. For example, if a role change request (during power transmission) that is unfavorable to the user is transmitted from the other information processing device 200 while receiving power, there is a possibility that the unfavorable role change is performed.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, a mode in which the two information processing devices 200A and 200B are connected by the cable 230 will be described. The same reference numerals are given to the configurations and processes having the same functions as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted for those having the same structural and functional functions. The information processing devices 200A and 200B have the configuration shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process of confirming the role change in the information processing device 200A when the information processing device 200A of the present embodiment receives a role change request from another information processing device 200B.

In step S1101, the processor core 222 of the information processing device 200A receives the role change request transmitted from the information processing device 200B via the CC pin of the Type-C connector of the connector unit 231. When the role change request is received, the information processing apparatus 200A suppresses the output of the role change request from itself.

In step S1102, the processor core 222 of the information processing device 200A confirms the Power control policy 1003 of the register group 225, and confirms whether or not a power control policy for processing power transmission or reception is set in the own device. If no power control policy is set, the process proceeds to step S1103.

In step S1103, the processor core 222 of the information processing device 200A transmits a message (Accept) indicating that the role change process has been accepted, and executes its own role change process.

On the other hand, if the power control policy is set in the information processing apparatus 200A in step S1102, the process proceeds to step S1104 to notify whether or not to allow the role change. The notification will be described later with reference to FIG.

In step S1105, it is determined whether or not the user has accepted permission to change the role. If the user has accepted the permission to change the role, the process proceeds to step S1103.

On the other hand, if it is accepted from the user that the role change is not permitted, the process proceeds to step S1106. In step S1106, the message (Accept) indicating that the role change process has been accepted is suppressed, and the response standby timer for the role change request of the remote device (information processing device 200B) is timed out.

In steps S1103 and S1106, the information processing device 200A releases the output suppression of the role change request from the own device.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the notification screen 1201 in step S1104. The processor core 222 displays it on the UI 203. The status display 1202 schematically shows the current status of the information processing apparatus 200A and the case where the role change request is received. As for the state of the information processing apparatus 200A, the processor core 222 displays the contents based on the above-mentioned status register and configuration register.

The permission button 1203 is a button for granting the role change request when pressed by the user, while the ignore button 1204 is a button for rejecting the role change request when pressed by the user.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a role change request that is likely to be unfavorable to the user is received after the power control policy is determined, the presence or absence of the role change appropriately reflects the user's intention. Can be decided.

Further, in the present embodiment, permission is requested from the user when a request is made for different power transmission directions in the two devices, but when a stop condition is set for each of the two devices, the user is simply asked for permission. You may just notify.

The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment is supplied to the system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or device reads the program. This is the process to be executed.

Claims (17)

Connection part and
The capability information indicating that the function and are possible switching of the functions and the power receiver as feed Electric, obtaining means for obtaining from an external device via the connecting section,
A receiving means for receiving instructions from the user based on the ability information,
Among a plurality of states including a power transmission state in which power is transmitted to the external device via the connection portion and a power reception state in which power is received from the external device via the connection portion based on an instruction received by the reception means. and power control means for controlling the one state,
A decision-making means for determining a power control policy based on an instruction received by the receiving means, and
An information processing device having a holding means for holding a power control policy determined by the determining means . The receiving means has a graphical user interface, on the basis of the capability information acquired by the acquisition unit, the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein varying the Viewing. Said reception means, based on the acquired capability information by the acquisition unit, the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in omitting the acceptance of an instruction by the user. The capability information, wherein the connecting portion and the power-saving information indicating whether a transition is possible or not the power saving mode, the external device further includes an external power supply information indicating whether or not it is connected to an external power source The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the information processing apparatus is characterized. The information according to claim 1 , wherein the power control policy includes information indicating in which of a plurality of states including the power transmission state and the power reception state the information processing apparatus is operated. Processing equipment. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the power control policy includes a power transmission stop condition in the power transmission state or a power reception stop condition in the power reception state. The information processing apparatus according to the battery remaining amount of the previous SL information processing apparatus reaches a predetermined ratio to claim 6, characterized in that said power transmission stop condition or the power receiving stop condition. The information processing apparatus according to the battery remaining amount of the pre Kigaibu device reaches a predetermined ratio to claim 6, characterized in that said power transmission stop condition or the power receiving stop condition. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that said power transmission stop condition or the power receiving stop condition that the connection is broken between said information processing apparatus through the pre-Symbol connecting portion and the external device .. Information according to claim 6, time spent in the power receiving or power transmission by the information processing apparatus through a front Symbol connecting portion, characterized in that said power transmission stop condition or the power receiving stop condition that has reached a predetermined time Processing equipment. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein the power control policy includes a power level required for the external device. If capability information the acquisition unit has received contains a valid external power source information, the determining means, without waiting for instructions from the user, the method comprising: transmitting to the information processing apparatus, the power control of the external device The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the external device is required to prevent the unit from transitioning to a power saving state. If capability information the acquisition unit has received does not contain a valid external power source information, the determining means, from claim 1 based on instructions from the user and determines the power control policy 12 The information processing apparatus according to any one item. Has a non-volatile memory stores an association with an external device power control policy determined by the device information and the determination means to further,
Before SL power control means, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that to control the power based on the power control policy corresponding to the device information. If the acquisition unit receives the role change request from said external device, said if configured power control policies to the information processing apparatus, characterized by further comprising a notification means for performing notification of the role change request The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 14 . An acquisition step of capability information, acquired from the external device via the connecting section to indicate that transmission and functions as a collector and functions as a power receiving device is switchable,
Based on prior yesterday force information, a reception step of receiving an instruction from the user,
Of a plurality of states including a power transmission state in which power is transmitted to the external device via the connection unit and a power reception state in which power is received from the external device via the connection unit based on the instruction received in the reception step. A power control step that controls one state ,
A decision step for determining the power control policy based on the instruction received in the acceptance step, and
An information processing method comprising a step of causing a holding means to hold a power control policy determined in the determination step . On the computer,
An acquisition step of capability information, acquired from the external device via the connecting section to indicate that transmission and functions as a collector and functions as a power receiving device is switchable,
A reception step that accepts instructions from the user based on the ability information,
Of a plurality of states including a power transmission state in which power is transmitted to the external device via the connection unit and a power reception state in which power is received from the external device via the connection unit based on the instruction received in the reception step. A power control step that controls one state ,
A decision step for determining the power control policy based on the instruction received in the acceptance step, and
With the step of causing the holding means to hold the power control policy determined in the determination step.
A program to execute .

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